It's almost over

This was the chaotic scene that greeted drivers as they headed to and from work on North Berkeley Boulevard this week.

A repaving project started Monday and road crews have been working feverishly to complete the project on Berkeley Boulevard from Ash Street to New Hope Road.

But the work including milling, repaving and re-painting the five-lane roadway should be complete soon, officials said Tuesday.

"They hope it will be completed in four days," said John Partin, assistant resident engineer for North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Weather could affect the timetable, he noted, but the possibility of rain that had been forecast for today has passed.

Still, a cold front that is expected to move through the area could affect the construction schedule. Asphalt does not stick well in the rain and there are temperature requirements for laying asphalt, Partin said.

Road crews descended on Berkeley Boulevard seemingly unannounced with no signs posted before construction began. Berkeley is one of the busiest streets in Goldsboro, city engineers say. An estimated 29,000 cars and trucks travel on the boulevard near its intersection with U.S. 70 each day.

Partin said the project had been in the works for about a year and was bid out in March to the Wilson-based S.T. Wooten, the primary contractors.

Road crews know navigating around a construction site can be difficult, so they have decided to abort the repaving project at 5 p.m. daily to make way for heavy traffic as drivers head home from work.

Drivers are encouraged to use caution to avoid accidents in the area or use alternative routes until the project is complete.